Today we have a guest post from Jeep Jenn.  I asked her to be a guest because I love the way she writes and she has made some amazing accomplishments with her health and weight loss.  She has determination and spunk, to me that is beautiful.  She was such a highlight on the cruise and I just loved spending time with her.  The picture is my choice to share with you because it is a favorite of mine and she just looks so cute!  Thanks Jenn for sharing your journey with us today!

Enjoy the following post written by Jenn:

It took me a long time to get back to the gym. The reasons why are not the important part, the important part is that I did it. I knew that I wasn’t going to get what I wanted by waiting for it to show up at my door. That hasn’t worked for me yet, by any means.

 So, after a lot of thought, and a less than stellar post written yesterday, I have decided to focus on what’s real and important.

 “No one can change my life, except me” I re-read the post I had written at Shannon’s request, and it looked like a list of complaints, with no real solutions brought to the table. The bottom line is, if I don’t make the changes, fully and mindfully, nothing is going to change. If I keep doing the same thing, I am a fool to expect different results.

 “Look at MY truth, and uncover the real issues” The real issues are never on top…that would be too easy to find and fix. Mostly, real issue sentences start with I think or I feel. Emotions are the root of everything, the good and the bad. EVERYBODY has issues; even the most “perfect” person has skeletons in their closet. Eventually, you will get to the point that you realize that everyone has a coping mechanism…some smoke, some drink, some run…what’s your choice? Remember that saying…if we all threw our problems in a pile, after seeing everyone else’s, we would grab our own back? You don’t always have to be able to solve your issues, but knowing that they are the reason behind choices makes the underlying motivation more clear (even when you make the wrong choices).

 “Try something that you’ve always wanted to do, something that SCARES you!” I felt complacent. Like nothing was changing, but everything was changing…I just had no control. I felt that I needed to reach some sort of goal to throw myself back on track, and get my head back around the fact that I can do anything I CHOOSE to do. The motorbike course was it for me. It was something I always wanted to do, and it both thrilled me and terrified me. When I accomplished it, and passed the test after only a 2 day course, I felt strong and confident again! (Of course, the leather doesn’t hurt either!)  It doesn’t need to be anything momentous, just whatever will show YOU your inner power!!

 “When you accomplish something that’s a challenge, change your view of yourself!” THAT is the most important part! Others will see you as a changed person, accomplishment is a huge ego booster…but your mindset needs to change too! It doesn’t matter what the accomplishment was, it could be sky diving or wearing frilly underwear under your construction clothes….YOU are now a warrior!! Just like the first step on a journey, one thought can start the ball rolling to change a mind set!!

 “It’s sometimes hard to get past the way you see yourself in the mirror” but the only person that can change YOUR outlook is you! People will see the new confidence when you accomplish something…try to move that forward in other areas of your life. Once, when I was really down on myself, my friend Linda told me that the only reason she didn’t get pushed around when she was younger was because I taught her that she had a voice and she could stand up for herself. I feel very proud of that!!

 “Change” when you change your expectations of yourself, you have to change your beliefs. After all, if you didn’t believe that you could accomplish something, why would you even try? Once you have created that accomplishment, your beliefs will start moving forward to the next challenge. Somewhere along the line, some woman threw off the “beliefs” that men had them pigeon holed into….or else we would still be at home doing the ironing like a good little woman. Give yourself the credit you are due for the success! Celebrate!!

 “Realize that YOU are a changed person” This is the hardest one for me. I accomplished it, I need to be able to say thank you when I get a compliment. Don’t forget who may be watching! Someone who hasn’t gotten to the bravery part of their journey may just need to see that it’s possible to accomplish something by moving one step at a time. We all teach by being an example, so BE PROUD of what you have changed, don’t brag but be open with your successes!

 NOW THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS, WHATS NEXT???

Jenn